About Us

C & M Services is a member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and is run by Kath Docherty. The practice is based in North Bristol but enjoys a client base throughout the UK.

We specialise in working with start-ups looking to incorporate and grow, small businesses who need to outsource their book keeping, tax and accountancy requirements, and contractors who will often not have the time or the expertise to manage this side of their business themselves.

“We are one of the few accountancy practices in the South West which is accredited by IPSE (the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed, previously known as the the Professional Contractors Group (PCG), which is the professional association for UK freelancers, contractors and consultants. This means contractors can be sure that they are in the hands of experts, who are up to date with the latest issues relating to IR35.”

Here are just a few of the benefits of letting us help you with your tax and accounting needs:

— Support: We provide a full range of support and one point of contact for all services – everything from payroll and VAT to company secretarial matters.

— Security: We use a secure client portal to publish all payroll, accounts and returns.

— Expertise: We stay up to date with all the latest legislation and tax rulings through extensive continuing professional development.

— Technology: We support the use of online accounting software such as Kashflow, Quickbooks, Xero and Freeagent, which means we have access to your data, enabling us to support you in understanding the performance of your business and ensuring your accounts are correct and up to date.

— Cover: We carry professional indemnity insurance, in the unlikely event of something going wrong.

In the words of a recent client:

“As a newbie contractor, Kath helped me set up my Limited Company and has since managed the accounts for the last 18 months. She has consistently and promptly provided invaluable advice and guidance no matter how basic my query has been! For me, this approachability, her knowledge and her trustworthiness are the keys to a successful business relationship. Finally, as an IT Security specialist, one important aspect is the adoption of a secure document transfer system that is easy to use and helps ease my mind with the knowledge that privacy, confidentiality and integrity are taken seriously.”
Rob Hackney, IT security specialist

Above all, we love the things you hate – so if you don’t have the time, experience or inclination to handle the book keeping and other essential finance activities for your business, call us today on 0117 322 6159 or email us for a free initial consultation to discuss your requirements.

Kath Docherty,
owner/director

Fellow of the Chartered Institute of England and Wales (FCA); Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and Fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

With experience gained over twenty years in the industry, including 12 years at Airbus UK Ltd as a Finance Manager working on finance capability, finance planning and information systems, Kath is well-versed in all areas of financial management, both large and small.

Her clients have variously described her as straight talking, highly professional and responsive – lack of response being a frequently-heard moan in accounting circles; and yes, she is totally prepared to nag until your paperwork is complete.

On a personal level, Kath actually loves numbers financial jigsaws – putting the pieces together until she has a perfect picture of your business.

When not juggling figures, she adds to her impressive boot collection, sings in the car and loves to keep fit and travel…

“Kath is an entrepreneurial and knowledgeable accountant, who is great at helping businesses find the best ways to develop from a sure financial foundation. She’s enthusiastic and approachable too. If you want a no nonsense accountant with an enquiring mind, a great sense of humour and who is unafraid to tell you straight when you need it, I highly recommend you speak to Kath at C & M Services”.

James Taylor – Wards Solicitors

Sharon,
Accounting Assistant

Specialist in: VAT, book keeping and training in online accounting software solutions – as well as keeping calm under pressure, remaining patient at all times, and offering a steadying, helping hand to clients fighting their way through their paperwork and filing commitments!

Sharon has previously run a haulage business, where she was responsible for all the bookkeeping, using SAGE, and for staff recruitment.

Prior to that, she worked for GE Capital in various roles from customer service and asset management to training and quality systems – where she was a ‘black belt’ in DFSS (Design for Six Sigma, a management process focussed on continual improvement and development of products, services and systems).

Outside of work, she is kept very busy by her four boys, aged 8-23 – but when she does have a free moment, she immerses herself in a book.

“As a stereotypical ‘creative’ I loathe admin, but C&M Services are happy to chase me until I can avoid it no longer! As my business grew, they recommended Kashflow – an online service which has made my input far, far easier (and so harder for me to avoid!). I was sceptical at first but Sharon is fantastic. She guided me calmly and effectively through the software and showed me how to manage the process online. Her patience, expertise and help enabled me to sort out my annual accounts in an afternoon, and all queries are solved quickly and professionally.
I can’t recommend C&M, or Sharon, enough.”

Rupert Marlow, Rupert Marlow Photography

Lisa,
Payroll Administrator

Lisa joined us in September 2016 as an apprentice studying for her level 2 AAT and will shortly be moving onto level 3 . She quickly took on the payroll responsibility for all our clients and supports them with leavers/joiners and all payroll related matters.

Her knowledge now extends to auto enrolment. She can set up a NEST scheme for you and ensure you meet all your obligations in terms of letters to staff and filing your declaration of compliance with the Pensions Regulator.